Alcaraz set to reclaim No 1 spot in Rome after Madrid triumph
Young Spanish phenomenon just has to show up but admits he is too ambitious not to chase another title
08 May 2023 - 15:20
byFernando Kallas
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Carlos Alcaraz of Spain celebrates victory with the tournament trophy after the Men's Singles Final match against Jan-Lennard Struff of Germany on Day Fourteen of the Mutua Madrid Open at La Caja Magica on May 7 2023 in Madrid, Spain. Picture: JULIAN FINNEY/GETTY IMAGES
Madrid — Carlos Alcaraz is raring to get to Italy next week to compete in the Rome Masters for the first time in his career and reclaim the world No 1 spot from Novak Djokovic.
After retaining his title in Madrid on Sunday by beating lucky loser Jan-Lennard Struff 6-4 3-6 6-3, Alcaraz only has to show up and play in Rome to leapfrog Djokovic.
Rankings are based on points claimed at each tournament, which expire every year. To maintain the points won at an event a player must at least match the tally from the previous year. Alcaraz skipped the Rome Masters in 2022 due to an ankle injury so has no points to defend while Djokovic won in Rome in 2022 and thus cannot improve his overall points total.
With only five points set to divide the two players in the next iteration of the rankings Alcaraz will move above the Serbian into top spot even if he loses at the first hurdle in Rome.
After an injury-plagued start to the season, Alcaraz said he is 100% fit and thinking big, motivated to keep improving his game as he builds up for the French Open, which starts on May 28.
“I am an ambitious guy and I’m going full for the win in Rome,” Alcaraz told a news conference on Sunday. “What I am achieving is something big. I just have won my 10th title, my fourth Masters 1000, back-to-back titles here in Madrid and close to reclaiming the No 1 world spot.
“It’s a special moment and I’m proud of what I am accomplishing. The work I’m putting in.”
The Spaniard, who turned 20 on Friday, has enjoyed a spectacular start to his career by winning the US Open last September to become the youngest man to top the rankings.
On Sunday he had to play his best to beat a relentless Struff and clinch his fourth title of the season, adding to triumphs in Buenos Aires, Indian Wells and Barcelona.
“I know I have an ability to play good in the important moments,” Alcaraz said. “I am a player who grows under pressure, in the big stage, and I like to do different things in those moments. To adapt to what my opponents bring to me.
“I am a finals’ player: I played 13 finals and won 10.”
He has joined Rafael Nadal as the only back-to-back Madrid champion and is the youngest to retain an ATP Masters 1000 title since his fellow Spaniard at Monte-Carlo and Rome in 2005/06.
Support our award-winning journalism. The Premium package (digital only) is R30 for the first month and thereafter you pay R129 p/m now ad-free for all subscribers.
Alcaraz set to reclaim No 1 spot in Rome after Madrid triumph
Young Spanish phenomenon just has to show up but admits he is too ambitious not to chase another title
Madrid — Carlos Alcaraz is raring to get to Italy next week to compete in the Rome Masters for the first time in his career and reclaim the world No 1 spot from Novak Djokovic.
After retaining his title in Madrid on Sunday by beating lucky loser Jan-Lennard Struff 6-4 3-6 6-3, Alcaraz only has to show up and play in Rome to leapfrog Djokovic.
Rankings are based on points claimed at each tournament, which expire every year. To maintain the points won at an event a player must at least match the tally from the previous year. Alcaraz skipped the Rome Masters in 2022 due to an ankle injury so has no points to defend while Djokovic won in Rome in 2022 and thus cannot improve his overall points total.
With only five points set to divide the two players in the next iteration of the rankings Alcaraz will move above the Serbian into top spot even if he loses at the first hurdle in Rome.
After an injury-plagued start to the season, Alcaraz said he is 100% fit and thinking big, motivated to keep improving his game as he builds up for the French Open, which starts on May 28.
“I am an ambitious guy and I’m going full for the win in Rome,” Alcaraz told a news conference on Sunday. “What I am achieving is something big. I just have won my 10th title, my fourth Masters 1000, back-to-back titles here in Madrid and close to reclaiming the No 1 world spot.
“It’s a special moment and I’m proud of what I am accomplishing. The work I’m putting in.”
The Spaniard, who turned 20 on Friday, has enjoyed a spectacular start to his career by winning the US Open last September to become the youngest man to top the rankings.
On Sunday he had to play his best to beat a relentless Struff and clinch his fourth title of the season, adding to triumphs in Buenos Aires, Indian Wells and Barcelona.
“I know I have an ability to play good in the important moments,” Alcaraz said. “I am a player who grows under pressure, in the big stage, and I like to do different things in those moments. To adapt to what my opponents bring to me.
“I am a finals’ player: I played 13 finals and won 10.”
He has joined Rafael Nadal as the only back-to-back Madrid champion and is the youngest to retain an ATP Masters 1000 title since his fellow Spaniard at Monte-Carlo and Rome in 2005/06.
Reuters
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